Chapter 224: Grain Buds and the Lying-In

In late May, just past Grain Buds, in the wheat fields of the Central Plains prefectures, which still looked somewhat sparse, the wheat grains were gradually plumping to ripeness, about to enter the summer harvest season. In contrast, the vast stretches of spring-planted millet were entering their period of vigorous growth—this was the fruit of the Son of Heaven's repeated urgings of the court and the prefectures and counties to tend to agriculture.

With incentive policies, burden-reduction measures, punishment of corrupt officials, and bandit suppression and public security efforts, after enduring for so long, the people who had suffered through the chaos of war and continued to endure hardship could finally see a glimmer of hope.

On the outskirts of Zhongmu County, an old farmer wearing a straw hat walked out of his family's several mu of wheat fields with his sons and grandsons, then went to check the growth of the millet fields. Looking up at the increasingly blazing sun, feeling the dryness in the air, and glancing at the parched field soil around him, a trace of concern surfaced amid the hope on his deeply furrowed, weathered face: "The Grain in Ear planting will be hard..."

This was clearly a farmer with rich farming experience, who had already foreseen that there might be problems when summer planting came. By normal reasoning, after Grain Buds, rainfall should increase, but perhaps due to the drought in Hebei, all told, only one rain had fallen, and not much at that.

He heaved a heavy sigh, but looking at his own dozens of mu of fields, a cheerful smile emerged on his face. Hunching his body, he called to his strong son and young grandson, and they plunged into the fields to tend the millet—this season was exactly when crops needed careful attention.

In the Eastern Capital, grain prices had finally dropped somewhat—perhaps because the summer harvest was approaching, or perhaps because grain easily obtained from Jingnan and Shu was being transported in successively, while the government continuously proclaimed the matter. The Jingnan grain, negotiated at over thirty thousand hu, was put into the Eastern Capital market in batches to stabilize grain prices. Of course, aside from the three thousand hu of "tribute grain," the rest had to be purchased by the court with gold and silver.

As for the Later Shu grain, the route was long and it was still in transit, but the quantity was large. After a round of urgent negotiations and wrangling, the Shu sovereign Meng Chang agreed to exchange prisoners, spending ten thousand hu of rice to redeem the defeated Shu army soldiers. In addition, he approved another hundred thousand hu of grain. Meng Chang had been farming the Two Rivers region for over a decade—a hundred thousand hu of rice didn't even make him blink.

Of course, the price was that the Great Han and the Later Shu signed a contract, the two states ceasing hostilities and restoring normal diplomatic relations, and formally recognizing that the four prefectures of Qinfeng, Jie, and Cheng belonged to Shu. For the sake of grain, Liu Chengyou also held his nose and instructed Wang Jun, who was in charge of the negotiations, to agree. After all, contracts were signed to be torn up; moreover, the four Qinfeng prefectures couldn't be taken back for the time being anyway.

Within the Bian Palace, a new Grain-Viewing Hall had been added, created by renaming and renovating an old hall. From its name, one could tell it was a showy gesture meant to demonstrate that the Emperor valued agriculture.

In front of the hall, there was for now just a vegetable plot, with two sparse rows of eggplants and green beans. Liu Chengyou had changed into coarse cloth clothing, wore a straw hat on his head, and was leisurely tending it. These were all planted by his own hand under the guidance of agricultural officials.

Beside him, Yang Bin and other chief ministers stood silently at his side, watching Liu Chengyou put on his show.

"Grain Buds is about to pass, and the summer harvest is approaching. The court must urge the subordinate circuits, prefectures, and counties to make preparations for reaping the grain. Autumn planting and summer harvesting—after enduring more than half a year of hardship, we cannot have problems at this critical juncture!" Liu Chengyou crouched down, holding a small hoe, and while digging out weeds, gave instructions to the chief ministers beside him.

"Yes. Rest assured, Your Majesty!" Yang Bin calmly watched Liu Chengyou's movements and responded in a deep voice.

Rest assured? If he were truly completely at ease, he wouldn't be putting on these displays. In daily governance discussions, hardly three sentences passed without mention of agriculture. During this period, Liu Chengyou had truly devoted his entire mind to agricultural matters.

"The care and management of summer planting and spring plowing grain must not be relaxed. Issue clear written orders to officials of all prefectures and counties to make proper arrangements and preparations!" Rising to his feet, Liu Chengyou added another instruction.

After a brief pause in thought, a trace of worry surfaced between Liu Chengyou's brows as he said: "Rainfall has been scarce lately, and the weather is unusual—I hear it's unfavorable for summer planting. The prefectures of the Central Plains must also make preparations against drought!"

"Yes!" Li Tao, standing nearby with hands folded in salute, bowed deeply and said: "Your Majesty worries for the nation's livelihood and never forgets the farming seasons—your ministers are deeply moved by your concern!"

Liu Chengyou waved his hand, wiped the sweat from his brow, and looked northward, suddenly asking: "How is the drought situation in Hebei?"

"According to reports from the agricultural commissioners of each prefecture, there are signs of worsening!" Dou Zhengu's tone was somewhat heavy: "If nothing changes, this year's summer and autumn harvests will certainly fail! If it gets even worse, there could even be a grain shortage!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's movements visibly stalled for a moment, then he sighed with melancholy: "Hebei can barely take care of itself—it seems we cannot count on grain from the north this year!"

As they were discussing, a palace eunuch hurriedly ran to the front of the hall, gasped for breath a few times, and only then called out: "His Majesty."

"What is it?" Liu Chengyou swept his gaze over him, displeasure showing on his face.

"A report from Cuifang Hall—the Pure Consort has gone into labor!" Startled by Liu Chengyou's gaze, the eunuch quickly reported.

At these words, Liu Chengyou's expression relaxed, and the ministers around him all chorused their congratulations: "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"I'll leave the agricultural matters to you all to carry out and implement!" With this one instruction, Liu Chengyou quickly returned to his hall to wash off the dust, changed clothes, and hurried to Cuifang Hall.

Cuifang Hall became the liveliest place in the entire palace in a short time. With the Pure Consort Lady Geng going into labor to give birth, the hall inside and out was thrown into tense bustle.

The sun had already slanted westward, casting dim yellow light over the hall, draping it in a layer of radiance—but beneath that radiance lay an oppressive heaviness.

From the inner chamber, Lady Geng's heart-rending cries of pain came out intermittently. From them, one could sense utter exhaustion—it had already been over three hours. For a normal delivery, that wasn't long, but what Lady Geng was encountering was precisely not normal.

Difficult labor.

Inside the hall, Liu Chengyou sat on the couch behind with a wooden expression, motionless. Though he appeared calm on the surface, anxiety inevitably churned within. After all, she was his beloved consort, and this was his first child.

Upon receiving word of this, Empress Dowager Li, Empress Fu, and Noble Consort Gao arrived one after another, and now all waited at the side, anxiety written on their faces.

The elder Lady Fu sat beside Liu Chengyou, and hearing Lady Geng's bursts of painful cries, she too felt her heart pound with alarm. Seeing Liu Chengyou's bitter expression, she couldn't help but grasp his hand and console him softly: "His Majesty, everything will be fine..."

"Mm." Liu Chengyou responded.

After another half hour dragged by, the midwife who had been attending the birth stepped out, her face full of exhaustion, carrying a "blood aura" about her. She reported in a deep voice to Lady Li and Liu Chengyou that Lady Geng's body was frail and her condition was not optimistic.

"Giving birth to a child is this troublesome! Could it be that you all aren't doing your utmost?" Liu Chengyou slapped the table heavily, finally exploding. His tone was severe, his gaze icy—it even carried murderous intent.

At his reaction, the hall immediately fell into solemn silence, and the midwife's body couldn't help but tremble.

"Second Son!" Seeing this, Lady Li rose and promptly called out to stop Liu Chengyou.

"His Majesty is anxious—you must not be nervous. Return to the birthing chamber and continue assisting the delivery. You must ensure the safety of the Pure Consort and the imperial prince!" Lady Li comforted the midwife in a gentle voice, displaying both kindness and authority.

Turning to Liu Chengyou, Lady Li pondered briefly, then walked before him and said in a soothing tone: "Second Son, you can't help with anything here. Return to Chuigong Hall for now—the affairs of state still need your attention. Leave this to me!"

Looking up at Lady Li, his mother's gaze involuntarily eased his mind a little. He couldn't vent his temper at Lady Li. Turning his head to look at the birthing chamber, Lady Geng's cries of pain had grown faint, as if she had exhausted all her strength.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou bowed solemnly to Lady Li: "I entrust this to you, Mother."

With those words, carrying that trace of anxiety, Liu Chengyou slowly walked away.

"You two should return to your palaces as well!" After Liu Chengyou left, Lady Li looked at the elder Lady Fu and Lady Gao, who seemed at a loss, and gave the order.

The two women exchanged a glance, dared not say more, and responded: "Yes!"